Amitabh Bachchan loomed large over Pushpa: The Rise. It wasn’t just the Bachchanism in Allu Arjun’s performance — arguably the greatest leading-man act in a masala affair in a long time, only growing stronger with the second part (more on that later). It was also in the very fabric of the story. Pushpa, a working-class hero rising from rags to riches (Deewaar), is, more specifically, a “coolie” who stands staunchly for the wronged (Coolie), a bastard son seeking acceptance (Trishul), and a rebel who challenges the system while exposing the frailty of the cops (Zanjeer). Many scenes feel like ripples from Bachchan’s most iconic moments. None more so than the confrontation in Deewaar when he looks Iftikhar in the eye and says, “Dawar saab, main aaj bhi phenke hue paise nahi uta tha.” Pushpa is about upmanship. A man who doesn’t know how to bend. A man who would go to any extent to claim what is rightfully his. While the character writing was solid, offering genuine mass moments, the film lacked a sense of cohesion. Devoid of structure that could anchor its ambition, it felt like an elaborate setup with no payoff in sight. It felt like Sukumar, the filmmaker, was charting a course to somewhere but found himself nowhere by the end. It felt, much like the character of Pushpa, the film seemed to aspire to great heights, but faltered in its ascent, unable to arrive without making a cacophony of noise. The climax, daring in its conception, became a point of contention. While undeniably bold in thought, it left many unsatisfied, questioning not just its execution but the broader purpose of the narrative. Then came the announcement of a sequel, which initially felt like an unnecessary addition. But, in the three years since, the legend of Pushpa has grown. His saga transcending the screen to become a cultural phenomenon. The build-up has transformed him into the most beloved mass hero of our time. And now, everyone waits with bated breath to see where his journey leads next. Also Read | Pushpa 2 The Rule movie review: Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil film chokes under the weight of performance pressure Pushpa 2: The Rule is a strange, sprawling beast of a film. Larger, louder, and undeniably better than its predecessor. Though the comparison feels futile given the low bar it had to clear. It is also excessively indulgent, and atrociously overlong. But then, brevity seems foreign in a world where everything is maximalist. There are moments that feel jarring. Pieces that refuse to fit. However, they’re outshined by others that explode with raw energy and swagger. Pure, unapologetic masala. Fan service is abundant, almost to the point of excess, but there’s also an unexpected ambition here. A daring attempt to nudge the boundaries of what a masala entertainer can be. It builds endlessly, much like the first film, but this time, there are payoffs. Small victories scattered along the way that finally converge into something gratifying. The third act, leading up to the climax, feels like archaic storytelling. A relic from another era. But, it delivers a twist so bizarre and mad that only sheer conviction pulls it off. It is messy but magnetic. Flawed yet unforgettable. A collision of mass and masala. The good and the bad. All wrapped in a cinematic spectacle that leaves you both bewildered and entertained. What becomes unmistakably clear in this sequel is its purpose. A vision that Sukumar wields with utmost clarity, proving he has always known the game and the soul of his story. The conflict sparked in the first film finally finds its resolution here. Because beneath the flamboyant set pieces, grandiose entrances, and stylishly barbed dialogues lies the beating heart of a tale — Pushpa’s unending quest for dignity. A battle fought on two fronts: the unforgiving world outside and the fragile realm within his own home. If the first film saw him conquer the external world, claiming victory by its end and expanding his empire internationally (the sequel opens in Japan, where Pushpa, now more brand than smuggler, commands global sway), the sequel exposes his deepest wound. Pushpa remains a man denied by those closest to him. His stepbrothers, his clan withhold the acceptance he craves, the belonging he so desperately yearns for, and the love he seeks. They continue to humiliate him, refusing him his rightful place. But it is this relentless search, this simmering undercurrent of rejection, that anchors six hours of storytelling. And when it finally pays off, it does so in a way that is greatly moving. Delivering a resolution that touches the heart and lays bare the soul of the saga. Also Read | The unbearable weight of massive stardom: Drawing parallels between Pushpa 2 and KGF Chapter 2 Sukumar builds Pushpa’s entry like a crescendo for about 40 minutes. Spanning nations, eras, conflicts, and characters — all leading to the proclamation that The Rule of Pushpa has begun. And then the title card appears. Pushpa, in his very first frame, declares himself a mazdoor (labourer). This immediately sets the narrative against the exploitation of workers by an indifferent system. Here, an electrifying moment unfolds as he storms the police station, ensuring the release of labourers unjustly imprisoned and beaten. In fact, his clash with the cop Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) transcends the personal. It stands as a blistering critique of systemic oppression. The excellent interval block, sprawling over 30 gripping minutes, becomes Pushpa’s stage to humble the corrupt Shekhawat, reminding him that even a shred of honesty would demand an apology. But Pushpa bends to no one, least of all the corrupt. Sukumar sharpens the political consciousness of the franchise, shedding the problematic ideas that plagued the first installment. Here, he aspires to seamlessly fuse mass spectacle with meaningful commentary, and nowhere is this more evident than in Pushpa’s evolving interactions with the women in his life. His mother’s struggles shape his insatiable quest for respect. And his wife, Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna though confined to a thinly sketched role), reveals a softer, more grounded side of him. Their bond marks a notable shift. His actions are now guided by genuine love and care. The film itself is set in motion by a request from Srivalli. One that Pushpa treats as a divine command, moving heaven and earth to fulfill it. He listens to her, credits her for everything he has achieved, abandons meetings to be by her side, and ensures her every need is met. Also Read | Making of Mallu Arjun: The mastermind behind Allu Arjun’s success in Kerala Sukumar takes some steps in dismantling the male gaze, crafting two crucial action sequences with Pushpa adorned as a feminine goddess. A sight both striking and subversive. It’s a spectacle watching Allu Arjun revel in the role, exhaling an effortless charm. And equally, a rare pleasure witnessing a franchise strive to correct itself. Indeed, as with all masala films, inherently contradictory in their politics, Pushpa 2: The Rule is no exception. There still lies fragments of a rowdy, patriarchal mindset that seep through - reminders of the genre’s flawed foundations. Still, there’s intrigue in watching a mass entertainer of this scale attempt to grow a heart, show a spine, acknowledge its missteps and strive to reconcile its contradictions. Pushpa may roar, “Jhukega nahi,” but Sukumar bends to the formula, though this time with purpose, weaving a thread of sincerity into the spectacle. He doesn’t reinvent the blueprint, but he refines its lines to their fullest, proving that even a flawed foundation can support something meaningful.
